Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Columbus
A store's filings are mostly registration and tax, plus the sign and occupancy for the space. Here are the 3 filings, in the order they're made.
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal
Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, faxed or mailed
- Takes
- Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.
Ohio vendor's license (sales tax)
Franklin County Auditor, for the Ohio Department of TaxationColumbus
A business with a location in Franklin County gets its sales tax account from the County Auditor: complete the ST 1 online, or mail it with the fee to 373 S High St, 21st floor, Columbus. Check with the local zoning department about the address first.
- Fee
- $50
- Filed
- Filed online
Unemployment insurance employer account
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Unemployment Insurance OperationsOH
A new employer creates an OHIO UI account and registers it in the Ohio Unemployment SOURCE employer portal.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
More on opening in Columbus
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Columbus
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your retail store in Columbus
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders